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Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

This is an absolute must-win for us. I'm nervous because that backline Klinnsman called in is very suspect. The midfield and forwards look nice but it won't matter with our backup goalie and a suspect backline. Since we'll lose @Mexico we can't be 3 games in with 0 or 1 points.

I was very glad to see the referee listen to the players who wanted to play. It was the right decision to let them play, because there was no danger to the players and even the Costa Ricans wanted to continue the game. Much needed three points, and now we are back on track for the World Cup. We are in second place in the hex, and back in business. Next stop, Azteca.

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"What you do is so loud, I can't hear what you say" -Andrew Luck
"If you turn the other cheek, I'm gonna hit you in the other cheek, too" -Charles Barkley
"Ego is edging greatness out" -Rick Pitino

Sophomore at the University of Louisville
Greenfield-Central High School Alum '14
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Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

That was an epic game because of the conditions. Refereeing was awful and it was hard to tell if players were playing well in that weather. We got the 3 points we needed and for now we are above Mexico in the standings!

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

The poster "pacertom" since this forum began (and before!). I changed my name here to "Slick Pinkham" in honor of the imaginary player That Bobby "Slick" Leonard picked late in the 1971 ABA draft (true story!).
I'm (maybe) back after being repetedly banned, merely for supporting a different NFL team than do certain forum moderators.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

That was great. 4 points in the first 3 games was my reasonable expectations. Mexico is in a tough position. They dropped 4 points at home. The US just needs to protect our home and we'll get in easily.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

Great June for USMNT. Played well against a B Germany squad and nabbed all 9 points from qualifiers, and looked pretty decent doing so. Jozy is finally playing like he is capable of on the national team. Still need some work overall, but we're looking much better than our first world cup qualifying loss at Honduras.

Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

Just realized there was a CONCACAF thread here. USMNT is only 2nd to the first-place three-way tie of Pacers/Colts/Hoosiers for me

We can talk about Jozy's surge, and it has been great. We can talk about Besler finding a groove, Zusi really developing into a great service role, Fabian Johnson's catalyzing ability down the touch line, etc. But to me, it all begins and ends with Michael Bradley, the most talented player on the squad. When Bradley plays going forward, the Nats have great potential. When he's more conservative or sits back, the offensive bogs. His awareness, ball skills and general ability to direct traffic from a midfield role is unparalleled on this roster.

Unfortunately, too often, Jones plays up and Bradley plays back. If Klinsy can consistently reverse that dynamic, this squad will be solid.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

Just realized there was a CONCACAF thread here. USMNT is only 2nd to the first-place three-way tie of Pacers/Colts/Hoosiers for me

We can talk about Jozy's surge, and it has been great. We can talk about Besler finding a groove, Zusi really developing into a great service role, Fabian Johnson's catalyzing ability down the touch line, etc. But to me, it all begins and ends with Michael Bradley, the most talented player on the squad. When Bradley plays going forward, the Nats have great potential. When he's more conservative or sits back, the offensive bogs. His awareness, ball skills and general ability to direct traffic from a midfield role is unparalleled on this roster.

Unfortunately, too often, Jones plays up and Bradley plays back. If Klinsy can consistently reverse that dynamic, this squad will be solid.

Jones might be one of the 3 best players on the team, but I think we play better when Cameron is in his position. Cameron complements Bradley better.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

Jones might be one of the 3 best players on the team, but I think we play better when Cameron is in his position. Cameron complements Bradley better.

I'd have to see a way bigger sample size with Cameron at CM to make that call, but I don't disagree at all with the assertion that Jones prevents the USMNT from getting 100% best use of skill from their best player.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

As an SKC fan, so happy to see Zusi get his due. He and Jozy have teamed up for a few really nice goals.

Looking forward to the Gold Cup coming up, as well.

It will be interesting to see what form Landon Donovan is in. He would have to show A LOT to make the WC roster at this point, IMO. Not that the current USMNT is great or anything, but everyone at every position he could slide into seems to have a pretty firm hold at the moment.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

I fully expect Landon to make the team next year, his creativity in getting the ball into dangerous scoring positions is valuable. The person I'm looking forward to the most is Stu Holden. I think if he can get back to full fitness and he shows the same creativity he did in this last friendly, a Bradley/Holden pairing in midfield would be a dangerous duo

Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

It will be interesting to see what form Landon Donovan is in. He would have to show A LOT to make the WC roster at this point, IMO. Not that the current USMNT is great or anything, but everyone at every position he could slide into seems to have a pretty firm hold at the moment.

He looks pretty damn good in the past two matches. Granted comp is way sub par, but still his set piece feeds look strong and he just looks really engaged.

Klinnsman is really getting his style installed and the team is starting to get healthy. We have more depth than we have had in a long time.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

He looks pretty damn good in the past two matches. Granted comp is way sub par, but still his set piece feeds look strong and he just looks really engaged.

Klinnsman is really getting his style installed and the team is starting to get healthy. We have more depth than we have had in a long time.

I love what he's doing to the culture of this team. Nobody gets free passes, everybody has to earn their spot on the team, including Donovan. It makes for great competition and increases the level of play and players on the USMNT. I think this is going to be good for Donovan in the long run, because it'll light a fire under his *** and get him to play the way he's capable of. There's no reason to think he won't be starting next year in Brazil.

And I love seeing Holden play well the last couple games. He needs to continue to get minutes (and eventually start here in the GC). I think if he continues to play like he's capable of, he will end up in the starting 11 next year as well. He ability to find the open man and seams is tremendous and a pairing with Bradley would be dynamic.

I think this is subject to change depending on how people play over the course of the next year, but that's a pretty strong lineup. Still hoping for someone better at RB, and I honestly would prefer Fabian at L mid because he's super deadly with service into the box, but that's not too bad at all.

It'll be interesting who ends up at GK. I know it's crazy to think Howard may not start, but with Moyes leaving Everton and them signing a 23 GK, it's possible Howard may not be the #1. Plus Guzan's been terrific while Howard hasn't been quite as good as he was. But like I said, a year is a long time.

Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.

Re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

So...yeah. Donovan had to show a lot. Donovan has shown a lot. I don't overreact to much against Cuba, Belize, etc. but I think you can safely pencil Donovan somewhere in the starting XI. Question is if he and Zusi are in the same starting XI, or if that lends itself to a lineup JK even wants.